A beloved Arizona grandmother who survived cancer twice died just days before her 62nd birthday after a stranger allegedly punched her in the face outside her apartment complex, leaving her with catastrophic brain injuries.
Susan Gehrke’s devastated family said their “hearts are completely shattered” following the senseless July 24 attack outside her Tucson apartment.
According to relatives, Gehrke was sitting on the apartment complex patio with another person when a 27-year-old man approached them and allegedly struck her without warning.
The force of the blow reportedly knocked Gehrke unconscious and sent part of her dentures flying from her mouth. She then fell backward and slammed her head against the ground, according to reports citing Tucson police.
Gehrke was rushed to a nearby hospital with life-threatening injuries. Her family later said the brutal attack left her nearly unrecognizable.
She suffered a serious brain bleed and died from her injuries on July 29, only days before she was set to celebrate her birthday.
Police arrested Dahseir Edward Jefferson, 27, on July 28 and initially charged him with two counts of aggravated assault. After Gehrke’s death, prosecutors upgraded one of the charges to second-degree murder.
Jefferson is being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Complex on a $650,000 bond, according to jail records.
Gehrke’s family described her as a loving mother and grandmother who had spent her life working hard and caring for others. She had also survived cancer twice and was preparing to finally retire.
“Susan was a beacon of light to everyone who knew her,” the family wrote in a GoFundMe post. “She spent her entire life working tirelessly, pouring her heart into her family, and putting others before herself.”
Relatives said Gehrke had been excited to begin a quieter chapter of her life filled with more time with her children and grandchildren.
“She was looking forward to relaxing, spending endless time with her children and grandchildren, and enjoying the peaceful next chapter of her life,” the family continued. “Tragically, that future was stolen from her and from all of us who loved her so deeply.”
Someone should have bashed his brains in with a hammer.
“ Dahseir Jefferson”
Hmmm!!!!
I think I know all I need to know!!